Future of Lake Tahoe clarity in question as wildfires worsen

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — When a wildfire crested the mountains near North America's largest alpine lake, embers and ash that zipped across a smoky sky pierced Lake Tahoe’s clear blue waters. The evacuation order for thousands to flee their homes has been lifted, but...

Drought haves, have-nots test how to share water in the West

MADRAS, Ore. (AP) — Phil Fine stands in a parched field and watches a harvester gnaw through his carrot seed crop, spitting clouds of dust in its wake. Cracked dirt lines empty irrigation canals, and dust devils and tumbleweeds punctuate a landscape in shades of brown. ...

Connecticut town's residents warned to stay away from minks

STONINGTON, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut town's police force is warning residents to stay away from aggressive minks. In a recorded message sent to residents, Capt. Todd Olson of the Stonington Police Department urged people to stay away from a mink if the see one, The...

Sri Lanka conservationists fight elephant smuggling in court

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Environmentalists in Sri Lanka are challenging a court order issued earlier this month that would allow the return of 14 illegally captured wild elephants to people accused of buying them from traffickers. Rights groups and lawyers say the...

US: Wolves may need protections after states expand hunting

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration said Wednesday that federal protections may need to be restored for gray wolves in the western U.S. after Republican-backed state laws made it much easier to kill the predators. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service initial...

Lawmakers, Whitmer announce deal to finalize state budget

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Top lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration announced a deal Wednesday to finalize the next state budget. They had waited to work out spending plans for state departments and funding for universities, community colleges and local...

Biden administration says wolves may need protections restored in western US after states make it easier to kill them

Henderson launches saturation patrols to reduce water waste

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — You can call it a saturation effort: The city of Henderson and Las Vegas Valley Water District say they're joining forces for enforcement patrols to identify water wasters in suburban southern Nevada. On Wednesday and Thursday, Henderson...

Wildlife biologist to speak on Smokies' reintroduced elk

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — A nonprofit group that works to document and share information about the plants and animals of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting a free presentation Friday on elk. Speaker Joseph Yarkovich is a wildlife biologist who has worked...

New voluntary slow zone off Nantucket to protect whales

NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Federal officials are implementing a new slow zone off Massachusetts to try to protect a rare species of whale. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration created the slow zone south of Nantucket on Sept. 11. It's designed to protect...